Racial Justice / Public News Service

Black and Hispanic residents of Connecticut are less likely to both have insurance and a regular health-care provider compared with white residents. (Adobe Stock)

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Advocates call proposed CT insurance rate increases too high

Connecticut insurance companies are requesting rate increases. Companies want a more than 8% increase for individuals and an almost 12% increase for …

Brian Burton with the Arkansas Food Bank said children experiencing malnourishment have a tougher time learning in the classroom. (fotokitas/Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Hunger is another struggle for Arkansas 'ALICE' residents

By Mary Hennigan for The Arkansas Advocate.Broadcast version by Freda Ross for Arkansas News Service reporting for The Arkansas Advocate-Winthrop Rock…

Undocumented immigrants are not eligible for assistance programs like SNAP, or Social Security benefits, even though they contribute to those programs by paying payroll and other taxes. (Adobe Stock)

Fact-checking GOP claims on immigrants

During last week's Republican National Convention, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said Americans are not safe due to immigrants committing violent crimes…

President Joe Biden is expected to address the nation this week about his decision to drop out of the 2024 Presidential race and endorse his Vice President, Kamala Harris. (Wiki commons)

NM professor expects VP Harris to face racism, sexism after Biden drops out

Vice President Kamala Harris is now the frontrunner for the 2024 Democratic Presidential nomination after, President Joe Biden exited the race on …

In the Keystone State, Oct. 21 is the last day to register to vote before the Nov. 5 election. (vesperstock/Adobe Stock)

A call to reduce political rhetoric; embrace prayer, peace, unity

In a weekend turn of events that some saw as shocking, President Joe Biden told the nation he's dropping out of the presidential race rather than …

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten will deliver her 'State of the Union' keynote address on Monday, July 22. (dragonstock/Adobe Stock}

Thousands of teachers expected in TX for their annual convention

Thousands of educators from across the nation will be in Houston starting this weekend for the American Federation of Teachers annual convention…

At the national level, researchers at Northwestern University estimate the nitrogen-dioxide-attributable mortality rate is 18% for Hispanic or Latino people. (Noemi Gonzalez/Chispa Arizona)

Poll: AZ Corporation Commission ranks poorly among Latino voters

New polling shows that less than 10% of Latino voters in Arizona believe the Arizona Corporation Commission is taking the state in the right direction…

As universities begin implementing a new tenure law, debate continues over its potential effects on academic freedom and the preparation of future educators in Indiana. (Adobe stock)

New IN law requires five-year tenure reviews of professors

With just over a month before Indiana university students return, a new law affecting college professor tenures is in full effect. The law targets …

More than 2,000 people in prison currently face execution in the United States. (Gorodenkoff/Adobe Stock)

200 people on death row exonerated since 1973

It's being called a historic milestone - 200 people have been exonerated after being sentenced to death since 1973, what's known as the modern era of …

Organizers say the Swingman Classic is the closest a modern-day fan can get to the historic Negro Leagues. (Danny Hooks/Adobe Stock)

HBCU students highlighted during MLB All-Star Week in TX

Major League Baseball's All-Star week kicks off tonight at Globe Life Field in Arlington with the Swingman Classic featuring 50 student athletes from …

Advocates to flood social media to promote Black Women’s Equal Pay Day

Today is Black Women's Equal Pay Day and at 11 a.m. PT, advocates hope to get the topic trending with a "social media storm." The wage gap is stark…

Stanford University researchers say immigrants are 60% less likely to be incarcerated than American-born people. (DragonImages/Adobe Stock)

Missouri committee to crack down on illegal immigrant crimes

The Missouri House of Representatives has formed a special committee to look into what the House Speaker refers to as crimes committed by immigrants l…

Black people in Mississippi are incarcerated at a rate 2.5 times higher than white people. (Framestock/AdobeStock)

Prison reform proposal seeks federal funding to reduce state prison populations

A new proposal could reduce the number of people behind bars in Mississippi. Currently, approximately 27,000 people are jailed, mainly in state …

Environmentalists say the plastics and fossil fuel industries driving plastic pollution and related problems have made false promises about efforts to address the pollution. (aryfahmed/Adobe Stock)

TX environmental groups fight for global plastics treaty

Environmental groups in Texas are backing a proposed global plastics treaty set to be finalized by the end of the year. The treaty aims to minimize …

Oso Outdoors offers winter and summer programs, including mountain biking, which aim to help bring more diversity to outdoor recreation in Summit County. (Adobe Stock)

Conservationists want free national park access for newest U.S. citizens

Conservation groups are asking federal agencies to give newly naturalized U.S. citizens a free America the Beautiful National Parks pass. Javier …

More than 30 tribal nations are represented at the University of South Dakota, according to the institution. (Wikimedia Commons)

USD threats to fire staff part of larger trend

The University of South Dakota threatened to fire staff members in what some see as an ongoing attack on academic freedom, according to reporting in …

The U.S. government recognized the Black Hills as part of the Great Sioux Reservation in the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie. The Black Hills Forest Reserve was established in 1897 and transferred to the U.S. Forest Service in 1905. (R. Blauert, Wikimedia Commons)

Black Hills Visitor Center under new joint tribal, federal oversight

The Black Hills National Forest is one of the latest federal lands to enter a co-stewardship agreement with local tribal nations-a management model en…

President Biden's new immigration protection policy came as the United States marked the 12th anniversary of DACA, which shielded from deportation more than 530,000

Mixed reviews in MI on Biden's new immigration policy

Michigan's government officials, immigration-reform groups and families affected by immigration policies, are celebrating President Joe Biden's …

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources says ground within 100 feet of a burial ground may not be disturbed for erecting, altering or repairing any structure that would impact the location without approval from the Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. (Adobe Stock)

Juneteenth honors freedom amid possible IN graveyard extinction

Today is Juneteenth, the federal holiday recognizing this date in 1865 when slaves in Texas were told they were free, more than two years after the …

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up almost 6% of the Texas population. Texas ranks third among all states with the largest AAPI population, after California and New York. (Trueffelpix/Adobe Stock)

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in TX face health disparities

Almost half of the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who live in Texas are skipping routine healthcare because of cost, according to a survey by …

About 1.3 million public school educators and 100,000 college and university professors have been affected by educational gag orders from 2021 through 2023, according to a new report from the American Association of University Professors. (Adobe Stock)

University of Wyoming dealing with state’s cuts to diversity office

The University of Wyoming is scrambling to address a major funding cut state legislators passed in a footnote to the state budget. During this …

Controversial AZ immigration measure faces legal challenge

A controversial immigration bill could allow Arizona law enforcement to arrest people who are found to be illegally crossing the U.S. - Mexico border…

The group Kids Forward says until 40 years ago, Wisconsin's Black residents actually earned more and had better jobs than their national counterparts. But it adds that years of policy decisions have worsened disparities in the Badger State, including well-being metrics for kids. (Adobe Stock)

WI makes the grade for child well-being, but education woes, disparities stick out

An annual report suggests Wisconsin has a strong foundation in creating positive outcomes for kids. But low-test scores and racial disparities show …

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports between April and July 2023, unemployment among youths nationwide rose by 826,000. (Adobe Stock)

IL study finds youths of color have fewer summer job offers

Summer jobs are a boost for companies needing seasonal help. But Black and Latino youths are not seeing the opportunities come their way. A report …

The number of Arkansas children living in poverty remained the same as last year. (bonniemarie/Adobe Stock)

Arkansas receives mixed results in annual Kids Count Data Book

Arkansas is ranked 45th in the 2024 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The annual report ranks states on the overall condition …

When finalized, the new contract for SEIU Local 49 janitors will be in place for four years. (SEIU Local 49)

Contract negotiations underway for Portland-area janitors

It is the first full week of contract negotiations for janitors who clean the buildings of some of the region's biggest employers. The janitors…

Over the last three years, the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund's CityStart program has focused specifically on racial wealth equality. (JonoErasmus/Adobe Stock)

AR capital receives grant money to improve Black wealth equity

The City of Little Rock is part of a national grant program designed to improve the financial status of Black communities. The Cities for Financial …

Nevada organization aims to mobilize Latino voters

Latinos make up a significant chunk of Nevada's population, and one local organization wants to encourage Latino voters in the Silver State to …

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, there are currently 8.5 million job openings in the United States but only 6.5 million unemployed workers. (Pixabay)

FGCU launches free workshops to foster equity, retain workers

Amid nationwide labor shortages and high turnover, employment experts say fostering an equitable workplace is key to finding and retaining workers…

Some 12% of Nevada's eligible voters are Black, according to Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

Black voters in battleground states are a crucial voting bloc in 2024

Black voters will play a key role in determining who will win the 2024 presidential election. And while Black voters remain overwhelmingly …

A partir de 2023, uno de cada cinco adultos inmigrantes legalmente presentes dice que no tiene seguro, en comparaci�n con menos de uno de cada diez adultos ciudadanos naturalizados y nacidos en los EE. UU., seg�n KFF. (Adobe Stock)

Beneficiarios de DACA pronto tendrán acceso a cobertura médica

La administración Biden finalizó una norma que ampliará la cobertura de atención médica a los beneficiarios de la Acción…

As of 2023, one in five lawfully present immigrant adults says they're uninsured, compared with fewer than one in ten naturalized and U.S.-born citizen adults, according to KFF. (Adobe Stock)

DACA recipients soon to have access to health coverage

The Biden administration has finalized a rule that will expand health care coverage to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, who will …

According to Zippia.com, 43% of race car mechanics have a Bachelor's degree, 23% have an associate<br />degree and 18% hold a high school diploma. (Adobe Stock)

IN kids gain abilities in racing and life

The motor sports season is in full swing and back in 1991, two Indianapolis race fans started an organization to teach kids about more than speed…

At least half of the $32.8 million to replace lead pipes will be prioritized for areas overburdened by pollution and decades of underinvestment, including communities of color and low-income neighborhoods. (Adobe Stock)

Biden Infrastructure Law brings $32.8 million to Colorado to replace lead pipes

Nearly $33 million from President Joe Biden's bipartisan Infrastructure Law is headed to Colorado to help locate and remove hazardous lead pipes from …

Among adults in their 50s and early 60s, 57% express support for legal abortion, as do 59% of those ages 65 and older, according to The Pew Research Center. (triocean/Adobe Stock)

Poll: Women want 2024 election results to deliver reproductive justice

Surrounded by states banning nearly all abortions, its legalization in New Mexico has made the state a top place to travel for the procedure and a …

A previous Bloomberg grant laid the groundwork for significant initiatives, such as the city's solar array and passage of the Issue 7 transportation levy. (jonbilous/Adobe Stock)

Empowering Cincinnati: Bloomberg grant fuels climate and equity initiatives

Cincinnati is part of Bloomberg Philanthropies' $200 million Sustainable Cities initiative and will hire three new staff members to merge climate solu…

Recent statewide figures look promising, but homelessness in South Dakota has risen more than 120% since 2007, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (Adobe Stock)

Sioux Falls programs address rising homeless population

Homelessness in South Dakota may be down overall, but the state's urban areas are an exception. New programs in Sioux Falls aim to address it…

Bates was born in Huttig, Ark., in 1914, three white men allegedly murdered her mother while she was an infant, which inspired her to fight for civil rights. (Photo Courtesy of Barry Jefferson)

Arkansas civil rights icon Daisy Bates honored with statue at U.S. Capitol

A new statue at the U.S. Capitol honors Arkansas civil rights activist Daisy Gatson Bates. The eight foot bronze statue is in the National Statuary …

The Justice40 initiative aims to deliver 40% of the overall benefits from federal investments in climate change, clean energy, clean transportation, affordable housing, water infrastructure, workforce development and pollution remediation to disadvantaged communities. (elnariz/adobe stock)

Federal initiative empowers communities with career creation

A collaboration between the federal government and local communities works to create new career opportunities. The Flint Environmental Career Worker …

According to the Brennan Center, since the 2013 Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder, the gap in voter participation in Alabama between white and nonwhite voters has been expanding. (Adobe Stock)

AL faces battle at ballot box; groups look to federal laws for protection

Alabama has long been at the forefront of voting rights issues in the United States and despite some progress, advocates said residents continue to …

The American Heart Association said pregnancy, pre-eclampsia and chronic stress can increase women's risk for high blood pressure, a leading cause of stroke. (Tetiana/Adobe Stock)

Advocates address disparities for women in Missouri's health care system

Women, and particularly Black women, are disproportionately affected by strokes and other health conditions in Missouri. Keetra Thompson, a stroke …

A report by the National Women's Law Center and the Southern Poverty Law Center found when Black girls were sexualized or harassed, they were often blamed for the event or had their experience minimized. (Pexels)

Black girls' safety in schools: Miami-Dade study makes urgent call for change

A new report shows Black girls are enduring disproportionate discipline, sexual harassment and public humiliation from school-based police and …

Last month, tribal and community leaders joined members of Congress from across the West to present more than 800,000 petition signatures, urging President Joe Biden to use the Antiquities Act to designate and expand national monuments. (Dominic Gentilcore/Adobe Stock)

NV Tribal Nations push for Bahsahwahbee National Monument

Native American tribes in Nevada are calling for designation of a new national monument within the National Park System in east central Nevada…

Salud Family Health Centers has served over 70 thousand patients, including migrant farm workers, and has created over 600 jobs. (Adobe Stock)

VIPs tour Salud Family Health Center’s mobile clinic

United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra and U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo - D-Thornton - recently paid a visit to Salud Family …

Experts believe increasing access to healthy food is not just about nutrition, it is about addressing disparities and improving overall health outcomes. (ARTFULLY-79/Adobe Stock)

Breaking barriers for health equity with nutritional strategies

Missouri residents are gaining new insights into the powerful role of food in health care as experts and organizations advocate for a shift toward foo…

Migrants are put on buses from Texas to other states, often without knowing where they are going. (afishman64/Adobe Stock)

Concerns raised about migrant children's mental health

The future of Senate Bill 4 is still tangled in court challenges. It's the Texas law that would allow police to arrest people for illegally crossing …

Some in Michigan's Native American community say they can relate to the struggles of Palestinians in Gaza. Artist Christina Damianos depicts the idea in her

MI Indigenous group uses art to show solidarity with Palestinians

Some Indigenous groups in Michigan want to draw parallels to their own historic struggles and those of Palestinians in Gaza and they are doing it thro…

Native American tribes and support organizations have pursued several lawsuits since the 2020 redistricting cycle, in hopes of securing fair political boundaries. There is also a push to get more tribes to be active when maps are drawn, so legal action will not be necessary. (Adobe Stock)

Tribal advocates keep up legal pressure for fair political maps

Across the U.S., most political boundaries tied to the 2020 Census have been in place for a while, but a national project on map fairness for …

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